2008 Connecticut Football Picks & Predictions

The Huskies came out of nowhere to shock the Big East Conference and the entire country with a 9-4 season. They tied for first in the Big East with a 5-2 mark and could have finished with 10 wins if they beat Wake Forest in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Experience returns, but can the Huskies match last season’s success now that teams will be looking to pay them back? Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 Connecticut Huskies predictions and season preview set the stage for the upcoming season. You can bet the Huskies at 12-1 odds at BodogLife.com to win the Big East Conference.

Offense

Usually, I would have nothing but good things to say about an offense which returns nine starters from a team which shared the Big East title. However, the Huskies seemed to win games despite their offense and not because of it. Though QB Tyler Lorenzen will be more experienced in his second year as starter, the offense still lacks a big play receiver to stretch defenses. The Huskies would like to rely on a solid running game, but opponents will likely be gunning for it, daring UConn to pass. Running backs Andre Dixon and Donald Brown each rushed for over 800 yards in 2007. Lorenzen will likely be asked to do even more this season, and that probably means more turnovers than just the six interceptions he has in 2007. Luckily, he will have a line which returns four-fifths intact to work behind.

Defense

The Huskies didn’t lead the Big East in any major defensive category last season, but they were largely regarded as the league’s most dangerous defensive unit. They held 10 of 13 opponents under the 20-point mark. Bookend defensive ends Cody Brown and Julius Williams return to cause concern for opposing signal callers. The duo combined for 16 sacks last season and Brown recorded 16 tackles for loss. Sophomore’s Scott Lutrus and Lawrence Wilson stunned as freshman to make the linebacker unit a strength when it was projected to be a weakness. Lutrus has 107 tackles and Wilson had 113 stops. Free safety Robert Vaughn seemed to come up with every big play last season, tying for fourth nationally with seven interceptions. 

Special Teams

There’s major uncertainty in the return game after the Huskies lost two of the nation’s best. Kickoff return man Tyvon Branch led the Big East with a 28.9 yard average and punt returner Larry Taylor was second in the league with an 11.5 yard average. The field position these two earned the Huskies was huge last season and the offense will likely struggle in their absence. Both of the kicking specialists do return. Tony Ciaravino connected on 22 field goals last season and Desi Cullen had a 40.7 yards per punt average.

Prediction – 5th Big East

UConn snuck up on a lot of teams last season, but wins will be much harder to come by with that element of surprise no longer at their disposal. I still see teams like Pittsburgh and Rutgers being slightly better, but Louisville and Cincinnati to be a step behind. Teams will make Lorenzen beat them with his arm, and by my estimation, he isn’t good enough yet. BodogLife.com lists Connecticut at 50-1 odds to win the BCS title.

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